Doctor: Priest is in denial

Extensive history of abuse detailed in court

Daily Herald, Chicago/March 14, 2008

By Christy Gutowski

In the ultimate betrayal of his priesthood, Frederick Lenczycki may
have molested more than two dozen boys in 25 years while serving in
parishes in three states.

The allegation came to light Friday as a state-hired psychologist told
a DuPage County jury the 63-year-old disgraced cleric is too dangerous
to be set free.

Lenczycki was to be paroled in May 2006 after serving half of a
five-year prison term for fondling three Hinsdale altar boys two
decades ago. But a month before his release, prosecutors sought to
have him civilly committed under a law for those deemed sexually
violent.

The former Glen Ellyn man has been housed in a downstate treatment
facility and has received sex-offender counseling. But as Lenczycki's
civil trial opened Friday, a state expert testified the priest
minimized his actions, believing that he didn't cause harm.

Lenczycki was ordained in 1972. He served at Ss. Peter and Paul
Catholic Church in Naperville until 1975, where three boys were
allegedly inappropriately touched.

Another two dozen accusers made similar complaints in the next two
decades at various churches in Romeoville, Hinsdale, California and
Missouri. In all, he had 15 assignments in three states.

Prosecutors say his accusers ranged in age from 9 to 17 and were
usually altar boys, students or performing community service. One
Hinsdale boy grew up to become a priest. The last allegation took
place in 1999.

"A man who doesn't learn from his history is doomed to repeat it,"
said Michael Kress, an assistant Illinois attorney general, whose
office usually handles such cases. "From the day he became a priest,
he has shown a pattern of actions in which he expressed sexual desires
and sexual behaviors toward young athletic boys."

The 1998 sexually violent law allows authorities to force offenders to
remain in custody if it is proven another crime is probable. Kress
said Lenczycki is predisposed because of a pedophilic disorder.

His attorney, James Montgomery, argued Lenczycki paid his debt to
society for the long-ago crimes. He noted conflicting expert opinions,
and said Lenczycki has undergone voluntary treatment. He argues the
chances of recidivism are small, especially given his client's age.

"What you are being asked is to look into the future," Montgomery told
jurors. "No one can accurately predict the failure of human nature."

Lenczycki, dressed in a blue suit, his supportive family seated
nearby, kept his head lowered much of the trial's first day.

He was sentenced to five years in prison in January 2004 after
pleading guilty to aggravated sexual abuse for fondling three boys in
about 1984 while at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Hinsdale.

Despite a 20-year delay, prosecutors were able to beat the statute of
limitations because the diocese had transferred Lenczycki out of
Illinois in 1985 after a parent's complaint of improper conduct.
Prosecutors argued the clock stopped ticking when Lenczycki left
Illinois.

In all, Lenczycki has admitted that he had inappropriate contact with
13 male teens in Hinsdale -- many of whom filed a 1997 lawsuit, which
was settled, though the terms were not made public.

Lenczycki used three guises, including having the boys dress in
revealing baby Jesus costumes or submitting to naked massages as part
of a "research project," according to trial testimony.

After one of the Hinsdale boys made an outcry, former Joliet Bishop
Joseph Imesch transferred Lenczycki to Missouri for treatment.
Authorities were not notified.

The Hinsdale charges arose again in April 2002 when the diocese, amid
public pressure, released its internal records of alleged priest abuse
to prosecutors. Lenczycki was placed on administrative leave and is
never expected to serve at a church again. The diocese is not paying
his legal bills, officials said.

The trial continues Monday before DuPage Circuit Judge Bonnie Wheaton.
The proceedings are expected to end in mid-week.

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